I am incredibly grateful that my husband, Addison, made it a priority to help my dad cross items off his travel bucket list, even moreso than I did myself. The last few years of his life were filled with meaningful memories and quality time spent together in places he had always wanted to see.

He visited several national parks with us, some of which included Zion, Grand Teton, and Yellowstone. One weekend, we even managed to visit four states. He returned to his favorite place, Sundance Mountain Resort, more times than I can count. Altogether, he spent several cumulative months with us in Utah and experienced so many beautiful things alongside Addison, myself, and my brother Gabe. Together we visited scenic overlooks, Antelope Island, the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Coral Pink Sand Dunes, just to name a few, and so much more along the drive between Texas and Utah.

One of my favorite memories was when Addison secretly upgraded his flight to first class- quietly becoming an Addison Signature. If you knew my dad, you know how much that absolutely tickled him. He was also here when we brought home “Black Dog” as a puppy, which made that moment even more special.

Whenever he and Gabe were in Utah at the same time, which was often, Dad could always be found as Gabe’s front seat sidekick, happily going along on whatever drive Gabe had dreamed up that day.

All of this is to say that my final years with him felt like a dream, and I am so thankful to be able to say he passed with no regrets on either side. No words were left unsaid. He made sure we knew he loved us, and we made sure he knew we loved him.

I am especially grateful for the time he and Addison shared together. Their relationship was natural and easy. Honestly, I think Dad sometimes enjoyed spending time with Addison even more than with me, and I would not have had it any other way.

He passed peacefully in his sleep, and I am thankful for that as well. I feel deeply blessed for the relationship we formed, especially near the end. Not everyone is given that gift.

The pure joy written across his face during those travels is forever etched in my memory, and if I can offer any advice to anyone, it is this: travel with your parents while you can, you will not regret it.

I will always be able to picture him somewhere on an open road or standing at a mountain overlook, beaming from ear to ear and exclaiming in pure astonishment at God’s beautiful world, and that is more than I ever could have dreamed for.